Droid X dock review: Motorola Multimedia Desktop Charger

The Motorola Droid X is a a looker to be sure. And to properly show it off on your desk or bedside table, you're going to want to check out the Motorola Multimedia Desktop Charger. But it's more than just a way to keep your Droid X charged.

The Motorola Multimedia Desktop Charger also will serve up high-definition video from your Droid X to your television, via a port in the rear of the charger. You'll have to provide your own HDMI cable, though. But it does come with a lengthy microUSB charger, so you'll have no problem keeping your phone juiced.

The dock itself is a matte black plastic.There's a large, metal bar that extends about halfway up the rear of the phone, to keep it from falling out and damaging the microUSB and HDMI ports. It also has a magnet that senses the Droid X nearby and launches the multimedia desktop mode (more on that in a second). The bottom of the dock is made of a nonstick rubber, so it won't go sliding around your desk.

The Droid X sits sideways and automatically switch into a special multimedia desktop mode when inserted. You get a big clock with the date, weather info, plus easy access to alarm settings, a dimmer button, and music and photo icons.

The last time we got a look at the HTC Paradise it was due to it being posted on Craigslist alongside the HTC Fiesta. And this isn't the first time we've seen this phone at the FCC -- it showed up there way back in April. This time though, it's got a name, is turned on and definitely has HTC Sense on board. That's not a sure sign that the device will ever be released though, as it still remains unannounced by HTC or AT&T, and Phonescoop suggests it's been canceled in favor of other devices. [FCC via Phonescoop]

Motorola Flipside now available from AT&T

If you've been patiently waiting to get your hands on the Motorola Flipside, then today is a great day for you. AT&T has made the device available via their website for only $99.99 on a new 2-year contract. We've gone hands on, we've seen the specs but with all that is still in the pipeline to be released, we'd have to say the Flipside is one of those niche devices. You've either been really interested in this device from the get go and want one or you've never cared about it to begin with. Either way, at $99.99 AT&T will move some units for those who just want a nice and functional Android device [AT&T]

HTC Merge accessories show in Verizon's system

Where are are HTC Merge accessories, there must be a phone, right? The above shot comes from Verizon's system, so we're probably that much closer (for what that's worth) to finally seeing the Android slider on Big Red, right? In the meantime, check out our hands-on with the Merge.

Droid 2 Global -- ready to travel planet Earth on November 29th

Sadly, all you timezone-jumping Android users out there will have to wait just a bit longer for your Droid 2 Global. Contrary to what we previously heard, the Droid 2 Global now has been given a launch date of November 29th. Device launches frequently fall victim to the dreaded one- or two-week delay, and our deepest condolences go out to any of you that are waiting for Motorola's premiere quad band GSM Android phone.

To make the sting a bit less painful, you can go into any Verizon Wireless store tomorrow and preorder yours, though you can't get it in stores until November 29.

Tweetdeck for Android has been updated to 1.0.2 in the Market!

If Tweetdeck is your weapon of choice for Twitter, you'll want to be sure to grab the latest version from the Android Market. Version 1.0.2 has been made available and addresses a few issues within the application. One of the larger ones being the adding of Facebook accounts which some users had troubles with. While we're at it, we might as well make mention that @deckondroid has also confirmed that Twitpic support is coming very soon for those of you who prefer that over YFrog.

Evernote v2.0 now available in the Android Market

We're big fans of Evernote around here. We've been checking out the Beta version of 2.0 for a while and have been totally pleased with the updates. Now available in the Android Market, version 2.0 brings with it a ton of new changes. Not only to the UI but also to the whole application itself. Evernote has been listening to user requests for quite some time and the 2.0 release shows that when it comes down to it, they know how to make suggestions work for them and the end users. Some of the new features include:

New Home screen

Dramatically faster

New Search interface

New views, more options

Easier sorting and browsing

Offline notebooks for Premium users

Improved Widget and Homescreen shortcuts

Simpler note creation and multiple attachments

That's not even all of the new features but rather, a small portion of what can be found in the version 2.0 release. You can hit the break for the video walk through of the new features as well grab the download link. [Evernote Blog] Thanks Adam!

Samsung to announce Continuum tonight, close NASDAQ; manual also available

Samsung announced a while back that it would hold a media get-together tonight, and while there has been some rampant (and wholly unconfirmed) speculation that the event would see the reveal of the Nexus Two (or Nexus S), it is far more likely that the event is focused on the Verizon-bound Samsung Continuum (read our hands-on here). No matter what Samsung has up its sleeve, our very own Dieter Bohn will be at the event and will be providing all of us with live coverage, so make sure you stop by when the party kicks off at 6 p.m. Eastern tonight.

Finally, to help celebrate the launch of "a new Android handset", Samsung's Chief Strategy Officer, Omar Khan, will be at the New York Stock Exchange today to ring the closing bell. [MarketWatch, PhoneArena]

HTC EVO 4G captures 'UFO' sighting in Virginia (Update: Video)

An HTC EVO 4G has captured an alleged UFO sighting in Virginia, showing itself off in the video of the mysterious event.

Last Wednesday night in Centreville, Va., residents claim they spotted a bright blue dot that did not blink, flash or make any sounds. It moved a bit, but appeared to not have a planned route. It has not been seen since and has left the residents perplexed.

Whether or not this gives any credibility for the existence of UFOs, it's nice to see that the EVO was there to record the sighting. Head over to the source link to watch the video. [My Fox DC]

Update: The video has found its way to YouTube, which means we can embed it. Find it after the break!

10 ways Android beats iOS -- Fortune Magazine lays it out for you

Android is quickly coming of age, and our little green friend is grabbing the attention of blogs and publications all over the web.

Last week, Fortune Magazine went into detail as they laid out ten areas where Android beats iOS (and Windows Mobile). We've all got our own reasons for being completely addicted to Android, but here is what makes Android shine for Fortune Magazine.

Maps and navigation

Notify bar

Widgets

Carrier choice

Hotspot

Screen size selection

Voice actions

Fastest browser

More/Better buttons

Google Voice

For further reading on the reasons behind their selection, visit the article on Fortune's website. [Fortune Magazine]

Google Chrome team to provide free WiFi to travelers this holiday season

Google has announced that the Chrome team will be providing free WiFi to travelers this holiday season, partnering with three major airlines.

They are teaming up with AirTran, Delta and Virgin America to provide free Gogo WiFi to over 700 planes, which they are expecting to service more than 15 million passengers.

The dates to receive the free WiFi are November 20th 2010 through January 2nd 2011. If you're flying one of these airlines for the holidays, get ready to enjoy free WiFi courtesy of the Chrome team at Google! [Business Wire]

With all that hard-earned jing you get an Android 2.2 device with the "enhanced Motoblur" and Motorola's new "Profiles," on all a chassis with 3.1-inch touchscreen 320x480) and a full front-facing QWERTY keyboard. For those of you not going the contract route, it'll run you $479.99 outright. Full press release after the break.

Prepare your Nexus One (Developer version) for Android OTA update 2.3 (Gingerbread) for the next few days:-D

Not sure if that means some super secret Nexus Ones, or the developer versions you can buy directly from Google (and it should be no surprise that the N1 will get the update first). But either way, it's a pretty good sign that we'll see Gingerbread in the coming days -- hopefully this week! [Twitter via Tech Crunch]

More random signs that Gingerbread is on its way (though nobody really knows when)

When you get down to it, the giant Gingerbread man statue on Google's campus should be proof enough that Android 2.3 is nearly here. But if you still need more, here are a few other signs that have been floating around over the weekend. None of them actually contains concrete evidence of a release date, but that's never stopped the sewing circle before. Here they are, in no apparent order, with the fun stuff bolded for effect:

An update to Adobe Flash Player 10.1 is coming on Tuesday, and the new recent changes field spells it out. "Please install the update ... to ensure that Flash Player loads properly with future OS updates." You know, like Gingerbread. [via Droid-Life]

Brodduncan on Twitter alerts us to the book Pro Android 3 (apress publishing). The Amazon description includes the following: "Pro Android 3 shows you how to build real-world and fun mobile applications using the new Android SDK, codename 'Gingerbread.' " So it's a preview description of a book not yet written that will feature details about an operating system not yet announced. Move along, folks.

Our pals at Intomobile say they have a source who tells them the Android 2.3 SDK (that's what software developers use to code apps) will be released on Nov. 11 -- Thursday. That doesn't mean you'll have Gingerbread on your phone -- just that the SDK may be announced. The source is not named, and no other details are given.

Gingerbread is coming, folks. Soon. It will be magical. It will have healing powers, be a source of clean energy and quite possibly show us what actually happened to the dinosaurs. And you'll find out everything you need to know right here, just as soon as it happens.

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